10 best things to do in Kos

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Discover the cultural landmarks of Kos town

The beauty of the cultural highlights of Kos’ main town is that they’re hidden in plain sight. In a single stroll, you can enjoy the full breadth of the island’s history, from the Hellenistic and Roman periods to Venetian and Ottoman times and even the Italian occupation of Kos during the Second World War. A good starting point is the Archaeological Museum in Eleftherias Square, which helps you fully appreciate the 5^th-century BC Ancient Agora and 1^st-2^nd century-AD Roman Odeon (once gathering the Senate of Kos) near the port.

Finikas Ave. - Neratzia Castle, Kos, Greece

You’ll also enjoy wandering around the Western Archaeological Zone, a collection of monuments and artefacts containing the ancient gymnasium, stadium and Roman baths. The Venetian highlight is undoubtedly the Castle of Neratzia (or Castle of the Knights of St John), built in the 14th and 15th centuries in a spot that was once an islet connected to the mainland by a drawbridge. Elsewhere, the Defterdar (or Nefterdar) Mosque and Hanji Hassan (or Loggia) Mosque are from the late 18^th century, while the nearby 1920s-built Government House was the administrative headquarters during the Italian occupation. Today, it houses the island’s courthouse.

Discover the cultural highlights of Kos town

Enjoy one of Greece’s most bike-friendly islands

Kos’ reputation as a bike-friendly island is fully deserved. There’s a 13km cycle path in the main town that goes along the waterfront down side streets. So your culture tour could even be done by bike and cycling is also the best way to admire the architecture (neoclassical, Italian, Ottoman) and generally just soak up the atmosphere.

Kos is known as the best island to cycle around

The highlight in Kos town is cycling down Finikas (Palm Tree) Avenue by Neratzia Castle. And cycling is also popular elsewhere on the island, moving between settlements and getting to beaches and other cultural sites. For more serious cyclists, Kos even hosts a number of biking competitions each year.

Take a bespoke bicycle tour of Kos town

Visit the original healing centre of Kos

The Asclepion is a must on any list of best things to do in Kos. Its history is at the heart of the island's identity and its significance extends well beyond its shores. Not only was it one of the most famous healing centres of the ancient world, but it's also where Hippocrates made many of the observations that shaped his understanding of the human body and healing therapies that laid the foundations for modern medicine.

Feel the healing energy of the Asclepion of Kos

The archaeological site we can admire today, which is spread over three levels connected by monumental marble staircases, was built between the 4th and 2^nd centuries BC, replacing an older sanctuary that existed during the time of Hippocrates, who was born in the 5th century BC. As with all asclepieia (healing sanctuaries) in Greece it was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. Exploring the three levels, you can imagine the sanctuary in its heyday, including the remains of the monumental entrance (propylaion) and the Altar to Asclepius (the oldest surviving building), abaton (where the most mystical part of the healing process took place) and the sacred Cypress tree forest on the second level. The top level was dominated by the Doric Temple of Asclepius, a replica of the largest temple at Epidaurus.

Tip: Learn more about the god Asclepius and the ancient healing sanctuaries named after him and the Asclepion of Kos in our Discover Greece podcasts.

Learn about Hippocrates’ healing herbs

Hippocrates was quite the botanist, teaching about the medicinal properties of herbs in an age when disease and illness were attributed to the will of the gods. So visiting the nearby Hippocrates Gardens, created by the Hippocrates Foundation and just half a kilometre from the Asclepion, will complete your understanding of his influence. You can also learn about the herbs used and even cultivated by Hippocrates at Pandrosia, an aloe vera farm, which also has a botanical garden.

The Hippocrates Gardens — Visiting the Hippocrates Gardens

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Pick your beach style

So many beaches! But where do you start? Kos’ most popular beaches are long and sandy, with excellent facilities including sunbeds and umbrellas, seafood tavernas, beach bars and water sports, while others are more secluded. On the north coast, Tigaki, Marmari and Mastichari (ideal for windsurfing) have well-deserved reputations as well-equipped, organised beaches. And just 3km from Kos town, Lampi also has everything you need for a day by the sea. Meanwhile, there is a seemingly endless choice of beaches along the south coast.

From the thermal springs at Therma Beach to Agios Theologos on the west coast (one of the best sunset spots in Kos), you can dip into whichever beach takes your fancy. The bay of Kefalos stands out (as do the names of many of its beaches – Golden, Exotic, Magic, Camel…) before you round the peninsula and find Cavo Paradiso.

Discover the 12 best beaches in Kos

Fill your Instagram feed with Agios Stefanos

There’s one beach we haven’t mentioned that deserves to be singled out. Agios Stefanos, in the bay of Kefalos, takes the prize for Kos’ most photogenic beach. It ticks the boxes for sand and family-friendly amenities and features the remains of an early Christian temple at one end.

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In front of you is the islet of Kastri, with its elegant little church dedicated to Agios Nikolaos (the patron saint of sailors). No wonder it hits the Instagram sweet spot every time. And if you fancy visiting a nearby village for lunch or dinner, Kefalos and Kamari have great eating options.

Take a boat trip for the day

One of the best ways to discover the beaches of Kos is on a boat trip. You can hire a boat and skipper from various points of the island, including the impressively equipped Kos Marina, allowing you to set your own course. But there are also boat trips to specific beaches on Kos and also to neighbouring Dodecanese islands, including Kalymnos (famous for its sponge divers and rock climbing sites), volcanic Nisyros and the scarcely inhabited Pserimos opposite.

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Learn about the wine-making tradition of Kos

The next of your things to do in Kos is to learn about a wine-making tradition going back to antiquity, when Hippocrates extolled the health benefits of the locally produced Melantaton. After a revival of wine production on Kos, there are now a handful of excellent wineries to visit, mostly on the limestone-rich lower slopes of Mount Dikeos.

Heading east of Kos town are three wineries, the Hatzinikolaou Winery, Hatziemmanouil Vineyards and Ktima Akrani, where you can enjoy a vineyard tour and go wine tasting. You’ll be introduced to local varieties such as Assyrtiko and Malagouzia, as well as leading international grapes (from Chardonnay and Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah).

Unlock a culinary treasure trove

And on to the food. Kos is known as one of Greece’s most fertile islands. And wherever you find yourself – along the waterfront of the main town, from Kardamaina to Kefalos on the south coast, or on the beaches to the north – you’ll find tavernas and restaurants with local delicacies. Coastal settlements like Mastihari and Marmari are known for their seafood and you’ll have the opportunity to explore new tastes wherever you go on your holidays in Kos.

Learn all about the food & wine of Kos

Take every opportunity to explore new and local tastes of Kos

Pitardia is handmade lasagne-style pasta cooked in broth, lambropites are little pies made with myzithra cheese and posia cheese takes its colour and flavour from the red wine in which it is matured. Kanelada, meanwhile, is a cinnamon-infused liquor and marmarites are pancakes cooked on marble, served with sugar or locally produced honey. Oh and don’t forget to pick up a jar of thyme honey or extra-virgin olive in town, or better still straight from a producer.

Visit a traditional settlement

The last of your things to do in Kos is to uncover the island’s traditions by visiting a village. In the heart of Kos are Asfendiou and Zia, close enough to Kos town (around 16km) to reach by bike, but far enough away to feel remote. As well as cobbled streets, there are traditional tavernas and shops selling local products, as well as views across the island and towards neighbouring Kalymnos and Pserimos islands.

Another authentic inland settlement is Antimachia, where you’ll find a ‘Traditional House’ in the village square, where you get to walk around a typical early 20^th-century Kos residence (including an original kitchen and furniture, a loom and a stable with agricultural tools).

Nearby is the pine tree forest of Plaka (look out for the roaming peacocks). There is also a traditional house just outside Kefalos, with old photographs, utensils, textiles and family heirlooms. Pyli is another settlement in the centre of Kos, close to the remains of the Old Pyli, an 11^th-century AD castle-fortress on the slopes of Mount Dikeos.

After Best of Title

Discover the best things to do in Kos

Teasing the very best out of the things to do during your holidays on Kos couldn’t be easier, as long as you know where to look. And when, too, because if you’re able to visit in April-May or September-November you’ll feel the special qualities of one of Greece’s most popular destinations even more intensely.

Discover more about Kos